Committed to making a difference

Another Miracle on Ice

The 11 Day Power Play, Inc. was co-founded by Mike and Amy Lesakowski in 2016, eight years after Amy was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer at 35 years old. As the parents of three small children, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center made sure Amy’s treatment was aggressive from the start. Including immunotherapy fresh off clinical trials and an infusion still in a clinical trial, her treatment resulted in a successful outcome. In 2013, Mike’s mother was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Her form of cancer did not have clinical trials available, and she succumbed to her disease in 2016. This inspired Mike to want to give back, in a big way, to the organization that saved his young wife’s life. On June 22, 2017, 40 men took to the ice at HarborCenter in Buffalo, NY in an attempt to set the world record for the longest continuous hockey game. Through July 3, 2017, the 40 men lived onsite, playing continuously in four-hour shifts, all while raising over $1 million for research programs at Roswell Park.

11 Day Power Play Community Shift

After the incredible success of 2017, Mike and Amy knew that The 11 Day Power Play had to continue. And the community as a whole needed play. The Community Shift was born and has grown to more than 2,300 pairs of skates hitting the ice, in three hours shifts over this 11-day marathon hockey game. They knew the community needed to benefit more on the receiving end as well, and Amy knew from experience that the families, especially the children, of patients need to be a part of their journey. Make-A-Wish Western New York and Camp Good Days and Special Times became additional beneficiaries. In 2018 and 2019, a total of $2.9 million was raised through the Community Shift for these programs, and over $4 million has been raised by The 11 Day Power Play since 2017.

The Lesakowskis

more than just a game

a hockey fanatic’s dream town

From pee wee hockey to our beloved Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo is a loud and proud hockey town. This energy and passion for the game extends well beyond the ice to neighborhood restaurants, bars, retail outlets and more.

And it doesn’t stop there. Buffalo is THE place to be for music, theater, art, outdoor adventure and family fun. From kayaking on our beautiful waterfront to free concerts and outdoor yoga at Canalside, you’ll love our spirited community just as much as you love hockey.